The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has highlighted his achievements in office, stressing that his approach to empowerment is centred on creating sustainable value rather than distributing temporary relief materials.

Aguocha made the remarks while speaking during a radio programme on Rapid FM, Umuahia, where he reviewed his representation, ongoing infrastructure projects and his vision for the development of Ikwuano/Umuahia and Abia State.

Speaking once more on his approach to empowerment, Aguocha said he would not give constituents what he would not be willing to give his own children.

“I can’t give to you what I can’t give to my children in terms of empowerment,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that his empowerment philosophy was based on providing opportunities capable of improving people’s lives in the long term, rather than limiting empowerment to the distribution of food items, motorcycles or other short-term interventions.

“My empowerment is value-added. I’m not one that will give you rice and keke. I can’t give to you what I can’t give to my children in terms of empowerment,” he stated.

Aguocha also highlighted several projects and interventions he said he had attracted or facilitated within the constituency and the state.

He disclosed that the New haven to Isi court Road had been captured in the budget of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority and would be completed, describing the project as an important intervention for residents of the area.

He also spoke about an erosion-control intervention at Atayi Ibeku, which he said had recently been carried out, as well as several school projects across the constituency.

According to him, he is preparing to commission and flag off various school projects at Ndume Ibeku, including the rehabilitation of two-storey classroom blocks at Amuzukwu, classroom blocks at Ofeme, and the reconstruction of more than 15 classroom blocks at Umuwawa in Umuahia South, among others.

Aguocha said the projects were part of his broader effort to ensure that constituents directly benefit from democratic governance.

He further disclosed that about 3,000 streetlights had been installed across different communities in his constituency, particularly in Ward 3, Ugwunchara.

He also pointed to the Umuahia–Ikotekpene Road as another major intervention, recalling that he moved a motion in the House of Representatives seeking an investigation into the road and advocating for action after years of neglect.

According to him, the Abia State Government eventually took over the road project as a matter of urgent public importance, despite the fact that the state would have to await reimbursement from the Federal Government.

He commended Governor Alex Otti for prioritising the project, saying the decision demonstrated a willingness to act in the interest of the people rather than wait indefinitely for federal intervention.

The lawmaker also highlighted his legislative efforts towards the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ikwuano, saying the bill had been transmitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the Presidency for presidential assent.

Aguocha expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would assent to the bill, noting that the establishment of the medical centre would have significant implications for healthcare delivery and economic development in the constituency.

He said the proposed Federal Medical Centre, together with the conversion of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, into a conventional university, would create opportunities for the transformation of the existing Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia into a tertiary teaching hospital.

According to him, the expansion of federal institutions in the area would bring employment opportunities, stimulate economic activity and promote institutional development.

“These things are institutional empowerment,” Aguocha said, distinguishing them from short-term empowerment programmes.

Aguocha also addressed the issue of pensioners’ gratuities, describing it as one area where the Abia State Government must continue to intensify efforts.

While acknowledging that pension payments had improved under the present administration, he said the government needed to go beyond regular pension payments and ensure that retired workers receive their outstanding gratuities.

He said Governor Otti was committed to clearing the backlog and had already phased the payments into different stages.

Aguocha expressed confidence that the outstanding gratuities would be substantially cleared before the next election cycle, allowing pensioners to use their entitlements to support their families, invest in businesses and improve their living conditions.

He also spoke emotionally about the issue, recalling that his late mother died without receiving her gratuity.

According to him, the experience reinforced his conviction that retired workers who spent their productive years serving the state deserved dignity in retirement.

The lawmaker said governance should not be reduced to meeting immediate needs without planning for the future.

While acknowledging the hardship and rising cost of living confronting Nigerians, Aguocha argued that governments must simultaneously address present challenges and make long-term plans for future generations.

He stressed the need for adequate housing, healthcare facilities, schools, roads and other infrastructure as Nigeria prepares for significant population growth in the coming decades.

He also advocated a change in the mindset of citizens, arguing that development requires collective responsibility and a willingness to look beyond immediate political and material gains.

Aguocha said the present administration in Abia was working towards changing the state’s development narrative, describing himself as a passionate advocate and defender of the Labour Party-led government of Governor Alex Otti.

He maintained that the administration had achieved significant progress within its first three years and argued that its performance should be measured against the condition of the state before it assumed office.

“No government has come into power that has done better than the present Labour Party-led government,” he said.

Aguocha also spoke extensively about his advocacy for justice, particularly his involvement in the case of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

He said his advocacy was not solely about Kanu but about ensuring fairness in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and addressing what he described as perceived disparities in the treatment of people from the South-East.

According to him, the issues surrounding Kanu’s case are connected to broader concerns about the treatment of Igbos and the roots of the agitation for Biafra.

He argued that the Federal Government needed to engage honestly with the underlying grievances that fuel separatist sentiments, saying that the issues would persist unless their root causes were addressed.

Aguocha said he was encouraged by the recognition he had received from Kanu’s family and others for his role in the matter, describing the endorsement as a validation of his commitment to justice.

Aguocha said his ultimate objective was to provide representation that would leave lasting benefits for the people rather than temporary political rewards.

He said his focus was on projects and policies capable of creating employment, improving infrastructure, expanding access to education and healthcare, and giving young people opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.

He maintained that development should not be measured only by what people receive today but by the structures put in place to improve their lives tomorrow.

For Aguocha, true empowerment is therefore about creating opportunities that he would be proud to provide for his own children and that, he said, remains the guiding principle of his representation of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.

The National Leadership of the CityBoy Movement (CBM) has formally inaugurated the Abia State Executive and Women’s Wing of the movement, officially setting the state structure into operation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The inauguration, held in Umuahia, brought together members of the CBM National Working Committee, state executives, women leaders, members of the movement across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State, and other distinguished guests and well-meaning Abia indigenes.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the CityBoy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, charged members of the newly inaugurated Abia State structure to build a strong and effective grassroots political network across the state.

Shoga urged the leadership to expand the movement’s presence across all 17 Local Government Areas, stressing that a strong grassroots structure would give young Nigerians the political strength to influence leadership and produce governors, ministers and other leaders in the future.

He further stated that the CityBoy Movement is targeting the mobilisation of over 10 million votes from young Nigerians in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, while encouraging members to remain focused on building a sustainable political platform beyond the 2027 elections.

The CBM Deputy Director General, Hon. Favour Abayomi, called for unity among members of the Abia State Chapter and urged the newly inaugurated executive to work closely with the State Director, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe.

Abayomi described Igbokwe as the duly recognised State Director of the CityBoy Movement in Abia and urged members to remain united and committed to the growth of the movement.

In his remarks, the Abia State Director, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, said the newly inaugurated structure would prioritise civic engagement, voter education, grassroots mobilisation and public enlightenment.

He stated that the core mission of the CityBoy Movement in Abia is to Inform, Engage and Empower residents, particularly young Nigerians, by helping them understand their civic responsibilities, government policies and development initiatives.

Igbokwe also highlighted ongoing federal development initiatives in the South-East, including infrastructure and industrial development programmes with potential impact on Abia State and the wider region.

He noted that citizens must be adequately informed about government programmes and developments so they can understand, engage with and benefit from opportunities available to their communities.

The State Director reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia Chapter to embark on a comprehensive voter education and grassroots mobilisation campaign across the state in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said the movement would work towards building a generation of informed and politically active young Nigerians who understand their rights and responsibilities and are prepared to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The inauguration by the CBM National Leadership marks the commencement of full operations for the newly constituted Abia State Executive and Women’s Wing as the movement continues to strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the 2027 elections.

The CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter, reaffirmed its commitment to unity, grassroots mobilisation, civic engagement and increased youth and women participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Signed:

Godson Emenike
State Communication & Media Director
CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter

A university lecturer at Abia State University and a worthy son of Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Mr. Chidubem Felix, has rallied support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, while calling for urgent intervention to address what he described as the prolonged neglect of Ukwa West by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Felix made the call during a solidarity gathering held at Community Primary School, Ugwati Asa, Ukwa West LGA, in support of Comrade Enyeribe Odinakachi Nwankwo.

He also appealed to President Tinubu to consider Nwankwo, whom he described as an illustrious son of Ukwa West, a committed grassroots politician and a man with a strong understanding of the needs of the people, for appointment to the NDDC Board.

According to Felix, the call became necessary because of what he described as the inadequate presence and impact of the NDDC in Ukwa West despite the area’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil economy.

He lamented that many communities in the local government continue to face infrastructural challenges, including poor roads, inadequate social amenities and other development deficits that, in his view, require greater attention from the interventionist agency.

Felix expressed concern that the people of Ukwa West, particularly those in oil-producing communities, have not received commensurate development despite the area’s contribution to the Niger Delta region and the Nigerian economy.

He alleged that the situation had been worsened by what he described as “invisible hands” from the old Bende bloc influencing the affairs of the NDDC, stressing that such perceived marginalisation should no longer be allowed to continue.

He called for a more equitable approach to the distribution of NDDC projects and opportunities, insisting that oil-producing communities in Ukwa West should have a stronger voice in decisions concerning development projects and representation on the commission.

The university lecturer further argued that the appointment of credible sons and daughters of the area to strategic positions would help bridge the communication gap between the people and government agencies responsible for development interventions.

Felix said Nwankwo’s grassroots experience, understanding of the socio-economic challenges facing Ukwa West and connection with the people made him suitable for consideration for a position on the NDDC Board.

He appealed to President Tinubu to give the request serious consideration, stressing that appointing Nwankwo would not only provide representation for Ukwa West but also strengthen the participation of the people in decisions affecting development in the Niger Delta.

He also urged the people of Ukwa West to remain united and continue to engage government constructively in demanding development, stressing that the region deserved purposeful representation and tangible dividends of democracy.

While expressing support for President Tinubu’s administration, Felix said the people of Ukwa West were looking forward to seeing greater federal presence and more meaningful development interventions in the area.

He appealed to relevant authorities, particularly the NDDC, to prioritise critical infrastructure and other projects capable of improving the living conditions of residents and stimulating economic activities across the local government.

Felix maintained that development in Ukwa West should go beyond political promises, urging government agencies to ensure that projects targeted at oil-producing communities translate into visible and sustainable benefits for the people.

He further called on stakeholders, community leaders and political actors from the area to work together in presenting a united voice on issues affecting the development and political representation of Ukwa West.

The gathering, which attracted supporters and stakeholders from the area, also provided an opportunity for participants to express their views on the need for improved infrastructure, effective representation and greater inclusion of Ukwa West in development programmes.

Felix reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at attracting greater attention to the development needs of Ukwa West, while urging President Tinubu and the NDDC leadership to respond positively to the concerns of the people.